It was an open station, as these small stations generally are, the small waiting-rooms and offices on either side scarcely obstructing the view of the country, and the station-master looked far out in the distance, towards the east, beyond the low-lying village houses, shading his eyes with his hand from the dazzling sun.
"Her's late this morning." The interruption came from the surly porter, who stood by, and referred to the expected train, which ought to have been in some minutes before.
According to the precise time, as laid down in the way-bills, it should reach Calne seven minutes before six.
"They have a heavy load, perhaps," remarked the station-master.
The train was chiefly for goods; a slow train, taking no one knew how many hours to travel from London.

It would bring passengers also; but very few availed themselves of it.

Now and then it happened that the station at Calne was opened for nothing; the train just slackened its speed and went on, leaving neither goods nor anything else behind it.
Sometimes it took a few early travellers from Calne to Garchester; especially on Wednesdays and Saturdays, Garchester market-days; but it rarely left passengers at Calne.
"Did you hear the news, Mr.Markham ?" asked the porter.
"What news ?" returned the station-master.
"I heard it last night.

Jim come into the Elster Arms with it, and _he'd_ heard it at Garchester.

We are going to have two more sets o' telegraph wires here.